Anyone else a big Tour de France/bike riding fan?

[cobrajet]

Every year, I watch the Tour de France and I love it. It is one of my favorite sporting events. My favorite rider is Tejay Van Garderen on the BMC Team. He is the top American and is looking good, so far, sitting third in the overall standings. I have a Trek bicycle and I ride almost everyday during warm weather months, as I can't get into riding when it is too cold. It is my favorite form of exercise. Looks like Chris Froome will be the favorite, if he can stay injury free, unlike last year. Any other TDF fans out there or those very passionate about bike riding?

[52520Andrew]

He has looked good so far, Froome is my pick at this point but I think Tejay could make the podium which would be great. Quintana is another really good one

[cobrajet]

He has looked good so far, Froome is my pick at this point but I think Tejay could make the podium which would be great. Quintana is another really good one

Agreed, Vincenzo Nibali got caught back a bit on Stage 2 but he will also be tough in the mountains and I believe he has a good shot at repeating. I think Alberto Contador is still one heck of a bike rider, but I do not think he has what it takes to win it all anymore and I do not particularly like him. Mark Cavendish looks like he is no longer the top dog in the sprints, as Andre Greipel is kicking his butt in this tour.

[52520Andrew]

Agreed, Vincenzo Nibali got caught back a bit on Stage 2 but he will also be tough in the mountains and I believe he has a good shot at repeating. I think Alberto Contador is still one heck of a bike rider, but I do not think he has what it takes to win it all anymore and I do not particularly like him. Mark Cavendish looks like he is no longer the top dog in the sprints, as Andre Greipel is kicking his butt in this tour.

I don't think he repeats but he could get a podium spot, I think this tour started a lot worse for him than last year though where everything went perfect for him. As for Contador, I agree, he has done well in some of the other races but needs to do it in the tour. I think things have evened up in the sprint departmemt, Cavendish has come back to earth a bit but also still is a threat as he got his stage win. Imagine if Sagan got yellow though haha

[cobrajet]

I don't think he repeats but he could get a podium spot, I think this tour started a lot worse for him than last year though where everything went perfect for him. As for Contador, I agree, he has done well in some of the other races but needs to do it in the tour. I think things have evened up in the sprint departmemt, Cavendish has come back to earth a bit but also still is a threat as he got his stage win. Imagine if Sagan got yellow though haha

I was actually surprised when Nibali fell back at the small climb to the finish today. I wonder if will struggle in the mountians next week. I hope Sagan does not get the yellow, I was upset that he is back in the green today. He is a great racer but for some reason I want to see someone else this year I am praying Tejay will be in yellow tomorrow after the team time trial. BMC is looking strong, so tomorrow will be his best chance. Fingers crossed!!!!!

[52520Andrew]

I was actually surprised when Nibali fell back at the small climb to the finish today. I wonder if will struggle in the mountians next week. I hope Sagan does not get the yellow, I was upset that he is back in the green today. He is a great racer but for some reason I want to see someone else this year I am praying Tejay will be in yellow tomorrow after the team time trial. BMC is looking strong, so tomorrow will be his best chance. Fingers crossed!!!!!

 

I just saw everything going perfect for him last year and I think if he were going to win this year, he would need more time/luck. I don't see how he is making up time on Froome and Quintana in the mountains this year. As for Sagan, I just would find it funny to see a guy in Green, White, and Yellow although that isn't happening now since we hit the mountains tomorrow. Another thing is that they changed how the green jersey was scored after last year since Sagan kept winning it and yet he is still in green now. No yellow for Tejay yet but I think that fits him better as all the pressure will be on Sky and Froome through the Pyrenees. Should be a lot of fun.

[cobrajet]

I just saw everything going perfect for him last year and I think if he were going to win this year, he would need more time/luck. I don't see how he is making up time on Froome and Quintana in the mountains this year. As for Sagan, I just would find it funny to see a guy in Green, White, and Yellow although that isn't happening now since we hit the mountains tomorrow. Another thing is that they changed how the green jersey was scored after last year since Sagan kept winning it and yet he is still in green now. No yellow for Tejay yet but I think that fits him better as all the pressure will be on Sky and Froome through the Pyrenees. Should be a lot of fun.

Quintana will be a force in the mountains, especially with Valverde as his wingman.

[52520Andrew]

Quintana will be a force in the mountains, especially with Valverde as his wingman.

Yeah that should be fun to watch, did you see the stage today already?

[cobrajet]

Yeah, I was not expecting Chris Froome to blow the doors off the rest of the riders yesterday. It was a brutal stage and to gain almost 3 minutes on his closest competition, I believe, means he pretty much clinched another TDF win if he can avoid crashes, but I am sure Team Sky will be in full protection mode. I had a feeling the top riders were just going to try and recover from yesterday on this stage today. Since tomorrow is the last day in the Pyrenees, I suspect Quintana to attack, which might make it difficult for Tejay to hang on to second place. I know I was a little disappointed last year that Tejay made no attempt pull off a stage win, since he is my guy, but I suspect he will not make an attempt this tour. I know his goal is to be on the podium in Paris but I would love to see him try to at least win one stage in the tour. Tomorrow should be fun to watch because Stage 12 looks pretty brutal and I think the heat is having an effect on some of these riders.

[52520Andrew]

Tomorrow should be a fun stage and everyone seems to be setting up for it. I think if anyone has any sort of hope at taking out Froome in this tour(not likely), they have to gain time tomorrow. Rest of the GC should have a shake up as well with the mountain top finish. Nibili has really not had a good tour.

[52520Andrew]

Team sky got tested on that final climb but they held firm. Still though, a lot of energy was expended today by a lot of people and the Alps aren't far away. Also good to see Nibili get back on form a bit

Edited July 17, 2015 by 52520Andrew

[cobrajet]

It broke my heart that my favorite rider (Tejay VanGarderen) abandoned due to illness. I can't imagine how upsetting it was for him and Team BMC when the Alps are suited for him with the more gradual long climbs instead of the steep Pyrenees. I think his only competition left for a podium finish in Paris was Valverde. This just sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[uhhhh]

I only watch the last stage and when they're climbing the Col du Tourmalet and Alpe d'Huez. Favorites are Gesink and Mollema, because they're Dutch of course lol

[52520Andrew]

Quintana made things a bit more interesting at the end but Froome did well on the Alpe, Quintana gained time on Froome once the mountains started though, that is no small thing

[cobrajet]

Quintana made things a bit more interesting at the end but Froome did well on the Alpe, Quintana gained time on Froome once the mountains started though, that is no small thing

You are correct there, Froome really sealed this race winning Stage 10, which really was the most difficult stage with that brutal climb straight up to La Pierre-Saint-Martin. I wonder if Cavendish can get a fifth stage win on the Champs Elysees today? I know he was hoping for more than one stage win in this tour, but I think he may have difficulty without his teammate Mark Renshaw leading him out and the rain soaked cobblestones will be treacherous.

[Mt. Crushmore]

A bunch of my extended family is into biking, but I'm not.